Character.AI
4.4
Millions of community characters with unlimited free text chat
The default starting point: unmatched variety and the most generous free tier in the category.
$7.92/moVoice callsMemory+3
Home / Long-term memory / Backyard AI
Backyard AI
3.8
A polished desktop app for local companions
Backyard AICompareVisit Backyard AI ↗
Our verdict. The easiest way to run a local companion without touching a terminal. Best for: Local companions with a friendly interface.
At a glance
Compiled from public sources — pending verificationPrice
$12/mo
Free local tier; hosted cloud tier from about $12/mo.
- Free tier: usable without paying
- Price band: $10–20/mo
- Regional pricing varies by country — confirm the amount at checkout
- Not hand-checked yet — how we test
Prices come from public pricing pages and change often. What you pay depends on your region and the plan you pick.
- Price details
- Free local tier; hosted cloud tier from about $12/mo.
- Companion types
- Any character
- Voice
- Voice notes / TTS
- Images & video
- Image generation
- Memory
- Retains context across sessions
- Custom characters
- Yes
- Runs locally
- Yes — can run offline on your own machine
- Adult content
- Optional mature mode — the product has an optional mature mode we do not cover on this site
- Visual style
- Mixed
- Platforms
- Desktop · iOS
- Traffic
- —
- Privacy & safety notes
- Local mode keeps conversations on your machine; cloud tier is optional.
What it does well
- Friendly desktop app
- No setup knowledge required
- Character card ecosystem
Where it falls short
- Needs decent local hardware
- Smaller community
Tags
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Backyard AI — common questions
Is Backyard AI free?
Yes — Backyard AI has a free tier you can use without paying. Free local tier; hosted cloud tier from about $12/mo. This entry has not been hand-checked yet, so the price is labelled as unverified on the card above.
How much does Backyard AI cost?
$12/mo ($10–20/mo). Free local tier; hosted cloud tier from about $12/mo. Companion pricing changes often and varies by region, so confirm the amount at checkout. This entry has not been hand-checked yet, so the price is labelled as unverified on the card above.
Does Backyard AI remember previous conversations?
Yes — Backyard AI keeps context across separate chat sessions rather than resetting every time you open it.
Does Backyard AI have voice?
Partly — Backyard AI offers voice notes or text-to-speech playback, but not live two-way voice calls.
Does Backyard AI have an adult mode?
Backyard AI has an optional mature mode that can be switched off. This directory covers the product itself and does not describe explicit content.
Which platforms does Backyard AI run on?
Backyard AI is available on desktop, ios.
Can I run Backyard AI locally?
Yes — Backyard AI can run on your own machine or against your own model, so conversations do not have to leave your hardware.
Before you buy. We publish prices from public pricing pages and label anything we have not personally checked. Prices on companion sites change often and regional pricing varies, so confirm the final amount at checkout. Affiliate disclosure.